Range finder



Sept. 14 1926. 1,599,882

D. O. FLYNN RANGE FINDER Filed June 1, 1925 /0 I I 6 a gnucnhw 1 4 i I g w yaw/Mb 7 I flttozweq Patented Sept. 14, 1926.

uiu'rs o stares DAVID 0. FLYNllT, 01? AUSTIN, OREGON.

RANGE FINDER.

' Application filed June 1, 1925.

This invention relates to an improved measuring instrument, and it has particular reference to one which may be specifically referred to as a range finder, the same primarily intended for this purpose, but being useful in various other capacities, whereby to adapt it for use by surveyors, engineers, and other persons employing instruments of this class.

The principal object is to provide an instrunient ofthis class which is light in weight, simple in construction, readily ad justable to a multiplicity of conventional positions, one that can be accurately set on rough ground, one that is accurate in meas urement, and one that is constructed in manner to permit it to be folded into conipact form to aid in transporting.

I also aim to provide device of this class, which requires very little skill in op erating it, assembling or disassembling, the details themselves being comparatively rugged to make for rigidity and yet being such as to permit them to be properly aligned, in the event that they become slightly distorted.

Other features and advantages accompany the invention, and these will become. apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an instrument constructed in accordance with this invention, showing the same set up for use.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail section of a joint between two of the parts, this view being taken approximately upon the plane of the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section, taken approximately on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail elevational view of one of the sights.

Figure 5 is a side view of the joint shown in Figure 2, and

Figure 6 is a top view, the view being taken within the limits of the line 66 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the reference character 1 designates generally a foldable tripod or stand. This tripod comprises a suitable head 2 at its top, to which duplicate legs are connected. These legs 3 are made up of pivotally connected sections.

Serial No. 34,129.

The third leg 4- is made up of slidable sections connected together by the sliding joints 5. lVith this construction, it is obvious that the tripod can be erected on comparatively rough ground, and the head maintained in a substantially horizontal position. Supported from this tripod, is what may be designated as a frame 6. It is with the use of this frame that the actual measuring is done. lVhile the frame may be constructed otherwise, it comprises a bottom bar 7, and a top bar 8, these bars being connected together by a vertical end bar 9. It will be observed that at corresponding ends, these bars are provided with duplicate sights 10, cooperating with sights 11 on the opposite ends of the type more plainly shown in Figure 4. It will also be observed that the bottom bar 7 is provided at its center with shank 12, having a spherical ballon its lower end seated in the cup 13 carried by the aforesaid head 2. A substantial universal joint is thus provided between the rod and head. and a set screw 14 is carried by the cup and cooperates with the ball to hold the rod in various set positions. Adjacent this ball joint is a spirit level 15, which is pivoted between its ends on the bar 7, and has its pointed end cooperating with a segmental scale 16 rigidly mounted on the bar 7.

Connecting the left hand ends of the bars 7 and 8 is an arcuate calibrated strip 17, the same being connected with the bar through the medium of the set screw 18 and having slidable and adjustable connection, at its lower end with the bar 7. The connection last mentioned, is very plainly shown in Figure 3, and by referring to this figure, it will be seen that the bar is pro-- vided with a guide 19., through which the strip 17 passes, the guide 19 carrying set screw 20, cooperating with the strip to hold the bar 7 in various adjusted positions. It will be observed also that a pointer 21 is carried by the guide and cooperates with the calibrations on the strip 17. At this point I would direct attention to the novel pivotal and detachable joints existing between the right hand end of the top bar 8 and the upper end of the end bar 9. This joint is very plainly shown in Figures 2 and 5, and observing these figures, it will be seen that the bar 8 carries an angularly disposed pin 22 and this pin is provided on its free end with a laterally extending key 23. The pin 22 extends through an opening formed in the upper end of the bar 9, and in order to permit the connection to be made, the opening is provided on one side with agroove forming a key-way 24. Ubviously, it is necessary, in order to make the connection to align the key 23 with the key way, and after passing the key entirely through the key way, to move the bars 6 and 9 to the respective angular positions shown, to dis-align the key from the keyway and to make a temporary pivotal joint.

In using the device, the legs of the tripod 1 must be adjusted with respect to each other, to accommodate the particular contour of ground, upon which the tripod is set. Through the construction shown, the head may be levelled so as to hold the bottom bar 7 in a substantially horizontal position. Assuming that the frame 6 is open, as shown in Figure 1, and that the spirit level shows the bar 8 to be in a horizontal position, a horizontal measuring line may be ascertained by using the complemental sights 10 and 11 on this bar. In order to measure the height of a tree, building or the like, the bar 7 may be tilted, until the sights are on a line with the bottom of the object to be measured. Then the set screw is tightened to hold the rod in this position. N ow, the top rod 8 is moved about its pivotal joint, and by using the sight, the line of demarkation at the top of the object is found. During this relative movement of the rods toward or from each other, as the case may be, the relative distances therebetween are recorded by the pointer 21 and the graduations on the calibrated strip 17. This will indicate the distance between the two points of measurement, and by proper calculation the approximate height of the object can be ascertained.

With a device of the construction shown and described, one may use it for levelling land, surveying, to ascertain the height of trees, the approximate range for hunting purposes, etc. Also it may be used to advantage by civil engineers in bridge work and the like.

The advantages and use of the device having been set forth and the details thereof having been fully described, it is thought that persons familiar with similar devices will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the same. Therefore, a more lengthy de scription is thought unnecessary.

I'Vhile the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed, may be resorted to, if desired.

I claim:

.1. In a measuring instrument of the class described, anadjustable tripod, a substantially rectangular frame embodying top and bottom bars and an end bar connecting said top and bottom bars together, said bottom bar being connected between its ends with said tripod, complemental sight devices disposed at the opposite ends of said top and bottom bars, a calibrated strip connected to one end of the top bar and adjustably connected at its lower end to the corresponding end of the bottom bar, and an indicator carried by the last-named end of the bottom bar.

2. In a device of the class described, a substantially rectangular frame made up of top and bottom bars, an end bar connecting the top and bottom bars together at corresponding ends, a calibrated strip connected to the opposite end of the top bar and adjustably connected to the corresponding end of the bottom bar, said bottom bar having an indicator cooperable with the calibrations on said strips, means for pivotally mounting the bottom bar upon a stand, a level pivoted between its ends upon the bottom bar, and a scale with which said level is cooperable.

In testimony WhereofI aiiix my signature.

DAVID O. FLYN N. 

